Good tips overall, especially the blocking behind the wall—makes a huge difference. One thing I'd add: consider your plumbing setup carefully. Pedestals can be a pain if you ever need to access pipes or valves. Anyone run into plumbing headaches after installing theirs?
"Pedestals can be a pain if you ever need to access pipes or valves."
Yeah, learned that the hard way myself. Had a tenant call me late one night about a leak under the pedestal sink—turned out to be a loose valve connection. Should've been a quick fix, but with the pedestal in place, it turned into an hour-long wrestling match just trying to reach behind there without cracking anything. Ended up having to partially dismantle the sink just to tighten one fitting... not fun at midnight.
Since then, I've stuck mostly with vanities or wall-mounted sinks in rentals. Easier plumbing access saves headaches down the road, trust me. If you're set on pedestals, at least make sure your shutoffs and connections are positioned for easy reach.
Ever considered installing an access panel behind the pedestal? I've seen a few setups like that—still looks clean, but makes valve adjustments way less painful. Might be worth thinking about before you completely rule out pedestals.
Access panels can definitely make life easier, especially if you're dealing with older plumbing setups. I installed one behind our pedestal sink a couple years ago—it's subtle enough that guests don't notice, but it's saved me headaches more than once when fixing leaks or adjusting valves. Curious though, how much space do you have behind the wall? If it's tight back there, fitting a panel might be trickier than it sounds...
Installing an access panel behind a pedestal sink is definitely a smart move, especially with older plumbing—I've done it myself in a couple rentals. But you're right, space can be an issue. One of my places had almost no clearance back there, and trying to fit a proper panel turned into a weekend-long headache. Ended up having to cut a smaller-than-ideal opening and using a custom-made panel from scrap wood. Not exactly elegant, but functional enough.
If you're tight on space, double-check what's behind that wall before you start cutting. I've learned the hard way—once accidentally nicked a hidden electrical wire while installing one... talk about a hair-raising experience (literally). Since then, I always use a stud finder and check carefully for wiring or pipes before breaking out the saw.
Also, consider how often you realistically expect to access that plumbing. If it's once every few years, maybe a removable tile or even a small drywall patch might be simpler. But if you've got older pipes or valves that seem finicky, a proper panel is worth the extra hassle. Better safe than sorry, right?
Either way, pedestal sinks look great, but they're definitely less forgiving when it comes to hiding plumbing messes. Just something to keep in mind.
